Ellie Meredith, from Blurton, was inspired to tell the story after attending a Town Hall meeting about the bid, which is being led by Urban Wilderness CIC.

Her film, This One’s For You, Longton, is available to view on her Facebook page, Ellie Meredith Photography. It will also be shared by Urban Wilderness CIC, Longton Exchange, Love Longton, Longton Community Partnership and other local organisations as the submission deadline approaches on 31 March.

Ellie said: “I felt that my passion for photography and videography could be used to create something to showcase the town and create a visual storytelling of Longton’s past, present and potential future.

“Longton isn’t just another dot on the map; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of industrial grit, artistic flair and a resilient community spirit.

“Winning the competition would create opportunities for the Longton community, allowing us to be proud of our town and all that we have to offer – and setting us on the right path for greater success and cultural vibrancy.”

At the heart of the bid is a focus on Longton’s historic ceramics identity, paired with a commitment to creating pathways for young people aged 14 to 30, alongside free creative activities for families.

Plans also include bringing underused spaces back to life – from empty shops to green spaces – and boosting key local assets including Gladstone Pottery Museum, the Sutherland Institute and Queen’s Park.

The campaign has already sparked widespread community engagement, with residents coming together for a series of bold ‘Straight Out Of Longton’ images. In one standout moment, crowds gathered in the town centre for a large-scale drone photograph, complete with banners and confetti cannons.

Urban Wilderness CIC co-director Isla Telford said Ellie’s contribution perfectly captures what the bid is all about.

She said: “We know that our local young people are incredibly creative and our main motivation for working on the Town of Culture bid for Longton has been to create a generational step-change.

“This investment would create an unprecedented range of local opportunities for young people aged 14 to 30. Ellie is incredible, and we’re thrilled that even pulling together the bid has inspired her, and hopefully other young people, to look for the possibilities in Longton.”

The bid has also attracted national backing, with actor Toby Jones confirmed as an ambassador, while ceramicist and broadcaster Keith Brymer Jones has voiced his support.

Partners include British Ceramics Biennial, Gladstone Pottery Museum, Duchess China, Launch It, PH Productions, U7 Arts, Claybody Theatre, Co-op Academies Trust, UTC, Fresh Roots, Stoke Creates, Longton Community Partnership and Love Longton, while Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the accountable body for the programme.

Isla added: “We’re proud of Longton’s past, especially its ceramics heritage, but this bid is about the future.

“It’s about creating something that young people feel part of, something that gives them reasons to stay, to create and to believe in this town.”

Shortlisted towns will be announced in spring, with the winner of the £3 million main prize expected to be announced next year.

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The Staffordshire Drinks Collective, unveiled at an invite-only event in Hanley earlier this month supported by Pernod Ricard, brings together bartenders, venue operators, producers and brand partners from across the county and wider Midlands.

Designed as a space for collaboration rather than competition, the collective will focus on celebrating regional identity, sharing knowledge and raising standards across the local hospitality sector.

Highlights from the launch included an exploration of ice as a ‘modern key ingredient’, a guided whisky tasting in partnership with Mangrove, and seasonal margaritas created using Altos tequila.

Guests were also introduced to Desire’s signature Staffordshire oatcake martini, a cocktail celebrating local food heritage by reimagining the classic bacon-and-cheese oatcake in liquid form.

The collective builds on Desire’s growing reputation as a catalyst for change within the local scene.

Now in its third year, the Piccadilly bar has positioned itself at the forefront of a new wave of cocktail culture in the city. It recently became one of the first venues of its kind in the area to be recognised at the Visit Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards, picking up a silver award for Best New Tourism Business, while bartender Poppy Gascoine won the Rising Star gold award.

Future Staffordshire Drinks Collective events are set to include tastings, networking, talks and bartender-led sessions, aimed at strengthening connections across the industry and showcasing the region’s potential.

Desire founder Dereece Gardner said the initiative had been created to spotlight the creativity already thriving within Staffordshire.

He said: “There’s a huge amount of talent here, but historically the region hasn’t always been part of the wider conversation around drinks culture. We want to change that by bringing people together, sharing ideas and building something that feels representative of where we’re from.

“This is an opportunity to create a platform for the whole region. If we work together, we can build something that puts Staffordshire firmly on the map.”

People can register their interest for the next event at https://form.jotform.com/250493054844358

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Emily, who will take up her role on Monday 20 April, is a cultural producer and programme leader with more than 12 years’ experience creating inclusive, community-rooted arts programmes across festivals, theatres and public spaces.

Her work has a strong focus on co-creation and access, shaped through projects including commissioning new work for Birmingham International Dance Festival, contributing to large-scale city-wide events such as Birmingham Weekender, and supporting artist development and touring through Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells.

Appetite has recently presented its Light Up Winter series of events in Middleport, Hanley and Newcastle, which drew thousands of people out into their communities across five evenings in January, February and March with light and sound installations.

Its annual summer festival The Big Feast returns to Hanley on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 August.

Emily said: “I’m delighted to be joining Appetite at such an exciting moment for the programme and for Stoke-on-Trent. As someone based in the Midlands, it’s a real privilege to be taking on this role. Appetite’s commitment to community-led decision-making, alongside ambitious, high-quality artistic work, is something I deeply believe in.

“The programme’s work in Stoke-on-Trent demonstrates the power of culture to bring people together and to reflect the identity and creativity of a place. I’m really looking forward to working with communities, artists and partners across the city to build on that foundation and continue developing a programme that is welcoming, representative and rooted in the life of the city.”

Appetite is part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, designed to engage more people in arts and culture in areas where involvement has historically been lower. Appetite is led by the New Vic Theatre and works closely with local communities, artists and partners to deliver projects that inspire creativity and connection.

New Vic Theatre artistic director Theresa Heskins said: “Emily brings a calm, collaborative approach, along with a strong track record of working across complex partnerships and public-facing programmes, and we are delighted to welcome her to Appetite.”

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The free event will take place on Wednesday 4 March from 6pm to 9pm, outside the Guildhall and in surrounding streets.

The centrepiece of the evening will be an animation by artists leo&hyde, working with 2099 Studios, which combines voice notes, memories and photographs shared by local people into an artwork projected onto the Guildhall.

Visitors can also enjoy And…Breathe by Pif Paf, which invites audiences to step inside a pagoda structure for a sound and light experience centred on breath; Squeeze Me by Air Giants, featuring giant inflatable creatures that respond when hugged; immersive light projection Eternal Ensemble by Onyva! Studio, where cellist Aileen Williams performs Pachelbel’s Canon in D across multiple screens from different viewpoints; and Cloudscapes by street theatre performers Kitsch & Sync.

Newcastle Under Light is the third and final event in Appetite’s Light Up Winter series, designed to bring people together during the darker months with high-quality outdoor arts experiences that are free and accessible to all.

Heather Dowler, interim director of Appetite, said: “Newcastle Under Light is all about creating moments of connection. From seeing residents’ own memories reflected onto the Guildhall to hugging a glowing inflatable creature or taking a breath together inside the pagoda, it’s an evening designed to surprise, delight and bring people together in the town centre.”

Charl Pearce, manager of Newcastle Under Light co-hosts Newcastle BID, added: “This event is a real celebration of Newcastle-under-Lyme. It will bring families, friends and visitors into the town centre to experience something joyful and different together – and it’s fantastic to see local voices and stories at the heart of it.”

The event is free to attend, with no booking required. British Sign Language tours are available and must be pre-booked by contacting askus@appetite.org.uk

Light Up Winter is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, with additional support from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Denise Coates Foundation and Middleport Matters. The series is delivered in partnership with Middleport Matters, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and Stoke Creates.

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Matthew and Ethan Price, from Haddenham near Cambridge, will complete the two-day ride to raise money for Pro Level Vision, the charity set up by former Port Vale captains Tom Conlon and Nathan Smith as the charitable arm of their coaching academy, Pro Level Academy.

The Prices currently make an almost 300-mile round trip every week by car so that goalkeeper Ethan, who plays for Bishop’s Stortford U18s and Shelford and Stapleford Strikers, can train with Pro Level Academy’s specialist coaching team at Keele University.

Inspired by the impact the academy has had on Ethan’s development, the pair decided to take on the cycle challenge as a way of giving something back and helping other young people access the same standard of training.

Matthew, 55, and Ethan, 16, have been training hard in preparation for the ride and have even had a video call with four-time Olympic medallist Ed Clancy, who shared his top tips for successful cycling.

They plan to cycle for around 10 hours on the first day and seven hours on the second, arriving in Stoke-on-Trent the day before Pro Level Vision’s third charity ball, which takes place on Saturday, 28 February. They will be accompanied by wife and mum Vicki, who will be driving the support car.

Matthew said: “We are so grateful for the training and support that Ethan gets at Pro Level Academy that we wanted to give something back. We wanted to do something that took us out of our comfort zone, in recognition of the challenges faced by the young people supported by Pro Level Vision.

“We have never done anything like this before and we are really looking forward to pushing ourselves to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”

PLV co-founder and chair of trustees Tom Conlon, who now plays for Oldham Athletic, said: “We really do appreciate Matthew and Ethan’s support and their backing for what we are doing. What makes this so special is that they understand first-hand the difference access to high-quality coaching and positive role models can make to a young person’s confidence and future.

“Pro Level Vision exists to remove barriers for young people who might otherwise miss out, and challenges like this help us reach more youngsters and give them opportunities they truly deserve. We wish Matthew and Ethan the very best of luck and look forward to welcoming them into Stoke-on-Trent.”

For more information or to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/cycleforsmiles

Tickets for Pro Level Vision’s Bingo Royale, with special entertainment from Bongo’s Bingo, are available from https://app.galabid.com/plv-bingo-royale/event-tickets

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The artwork will be unveiled at Newcastle Under Light on Wednesday, 4 March, from 6pm to 9pm.

The community drop-in sessions will take place on Saturday, 7 February at Belong Village from 9.30am to 11.30am and at Newcastle Library from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. They will be led by artists leo&hyde, who will use residents’ photographs and stories about the town to create the projection in collaboration with 2099 Studios.

Residents will be able to share their stories with writer Leo Mercer and artist Joseph Doubtfire, and try a range of digital and collage art-making techniques. The resulting artwork will be projected onto the Guildhall as part of the Newcastle Under Light event.

As well as attending the drop-in sessions, people can also submit voice notes for the project. Contributions can be light-hearted, serious, reflective or spontaneous.

Voice notes should ideally be between 30 and 60 seconds long, although submissions of up to two minutes are welcome. Contributors are encouraged to mention a place in the town and speak as if sending a quick voice message to a friend.

Leo Mercer, from leo&hyde, said: “I love voice notes, and how people have started to leave messages to loved ones and friends. It’s so lovely to hear someone’s actual voice from wherever they are.

“For that reason, we’re very excited to hear your voice notes from Newcastle-under-Lyme. These will then make their way into a shared artwork on the Guildhall, celebrating the voices of the people who know Newcastle-under-Lyme best.”

Participants may choose to respond to one of the following prompts, or simply share their own thoughts:

• Something interesting that happened in Newcastle-under-Lyme recently, and where it happened

• A surprising conversation with a stranger in town

• A family story or long-standing connection to Newcastle-under-Lyme

• A favourite place in the town and a memory linked to it

• Finish the sentence: “My favourite thing about Newcastle-under-Lyme is…”

• Finish the sentence: “My biggest hope for Newcastle-under-Lyme is…”

Charl Pearce, Manager of Newcastle Under Light co-hosts Newcastle BID, said: “Newcastle Under Light is about celebrating the town and the people who make it what it is. This project gives residents a chance to see their own stories, memories and voices become part of a striking town centre moment, and we’d love as many people as possible to get involved.”

Appetite Interim Director Heather Dowler added: “At Appetite, we love creating experiences that bring people together. This project is about listening to local voices and transforming everyday stories into something special that can be shared with the whole town.”

Newcastle Under Light is the final event in Appetite’s three-part Light Up Winter series and is free to attend, with no booking required.

The event will also feature a sound and light pagoda exploring breath and breathing together, and giant inflatable creatures that respond to hugs and squeezes. Refreshments will be available to purchase. British Sign Language tours will be available and must be pre-booked by contacting askus@appetite.org.uk

Voice notes can be sent via WhatsApp on 07766 720625 or by email to hello@nulbid.co.uk . To confirm consent for use in the artwork, contributors should include the words: “Yes, you can use this in the Newcastle-under-Lyme projection.”

Light Up Winter is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, with additional support from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Denise Coates Foundation and Middleport Matters. The series is delivered in partnership with Middleport Matters, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and Stoke Creates.

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Brilliant Bamboo, founded in 2023 by Gemma Thomas, is looking for a brownfield or field site of up to one acre where it can establish its second bamboo parklet.

The organisation launched its first parklet in July last year on a disused concrete area behind Sainsbury’s car park in Stoke town centre. This has since been transformed into a vibrant space hosting workshops, community activities, corporate away days and large-scale events including circus performances.

More than 400 bamboo plants are currently growing at the Stoke site in moveable planters, but the proposed Newcastle parklet would allow bamboo to be planted directly into the ground, enabling longer-term research and environmental impact.

The project aims to explore how bamboo can contribute to sustainability, wellbeing and environmental improvement, including its potential to absorb carbon, improve air quality and support urban biodiversity.

Gemma said: “Over the past six months, we’ve seen how a neglected, grey space can be transformed into something joyful, welcoming and full of life. Our Stoke parklet has become a place where people come together, slow down and reconnect with nature.

“Bamboo is an incredibly resilient and fast-growing plant that absorbs carbon efficiently, produces more oxygen, and offers an alternative to timber. We use our work to explore biodiversity and look to improve the areas for all plants, wildlife and people. Our projects and bamboo are ideal for regenerating underused sites.

“We’re now keen to bring that same sense of possibility to Newcastle following our recent education and engagement events in the town centre. We’re specifically looking for land that isn’t currently being used. If any landowners, businesses or organisations think they could help, we’d love to start a conversation.”

The Newcastle parklet will be funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) through Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Anyone who can suggest a suitable plot of land with public access is invited to contact Gemma at gemma@brilliantbamboo.co.uk

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Tickets are now on sale for PLV’s Bingo Royale, which will take place on Saturday, 28 February, at the Doubletree by Hilton on Festival Park with special entertainment by Bongo’s Bingo.

Each ticket includes a welcome drink on arrival, dinner and bingo games, with further drinks available to purchase at the bar. A DJ and disco from Dream Entertainment will keep the party going, with music, lights, dancing and prizes promised throughout the night.

Bingo Royale follows the success of last year’s Strictly-style Glitter Ball, which raised more than £22,000 to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Cheshire access academy-level football coaching.

Pro Level Vision was founded by former Port Vale captains Nathan Smith and Tom Conlon, who now play for Tranmere Rovers and Oldham Athletic. The charity works to remove financial barriers to high-quality coaching by providing funded places for local young people, and also partners with Caudwell Children to deliver pan-disability football sessions.

It is the charity arm of Pro Level Academy, which was set up by Tom and Nathan in 2021 and holds sessions at Keele University and in Stone.

Funds raised through Bingo Royale will go directly towards supporting Pro Level Vision’s work in the area, helping more children and young people develop their skills, confidence and wellbeing through football.

Tom Conlon said: “Events like Bingo Royale play a vital role in helping us continue our work. Last year’s ball showed just how generous our supporters are, and this night is all about bringing people together for a great evening while supporting an important cause.”

Nathan Smith added: “Every ticket sold helps us create opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out. Bingo Royale is all about fun, but it will also have a really important impact.”

Tickets for Pro Level Vision’s Bingo Royale are £75, with limited availability.

For more information and to book tickets, visit https://app.galabid.com/plv-bingo-royale/ A special discount on rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton is also available to ball guests. For more information email prolevelvision@outlook.com

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Urban Wilderness CIC has launched the Longton Time Machine, a creative project asking people to share what they love about Longton, their hopes for the future and how they want to be involved in the town’s next chapter.

Inspired by H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine – written after his visit to the Potteries in 1888 – the project is supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and will feed directly into the development of a new masterplan for Longton in 2026.

Residents’ responses will be brought together into a collective timeline of memories, ideas and ambitions, which will be shared with the city council and a steering group chaired by Allison Gardner MP.

As part of the project, Urban Wilderness CIC is holding community conversation sessions in Longton. Residents can drop in to Kiln Café on Saturday 14 February from 1:30pm to 3:30pm or Longton Indoor Market on Saturday 28 February from 10am to 1pm.

People can also take part by emailing info@urbanwildernesscic.com, sending WhatsApp voice notes to 07432 663368, sharing photos or video, or by completing the online form.

Participants are being asked questions such as: What do you love about Longton? What are your wishes for Longton in 10, 50 and 100 years? How would you like to be involved in developing Longton – and how should future generations take part?

A free toolkit is available to help community groups and organisations host their own conversations. Contributions will be added to a public timeline displayed at The Moony Club in Longton Exchange until the end of February.

Urban Wilderness CIC co-director Isla Telford said: “Longton has been overlooked for a long time but there is now a real sense of hope and optimism, and a feeling that the town is on the up.

“Longton is a real asset for the city as a whole, and this is an opportunity to get involved and play your part in something which is good news for the town.”

Fellow co-director Jenny Harper added: “Longton has a strong identity, and this project is a way of gathering its stories and aspirations directly from the people who live and work here.

“We will gather these thoughts and ideas together and create a timeline that spotlights what we are proud of from our past and what we aspire to for our future. Being part of this conversation is very important to us.”

Urban Wilderness CIC is leading Longton’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, which would see the winning town receive £3.5 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2028.

The not-for-profit organisation is also currently converting the former Barclays Bank in The Strand, Longton, into a vibrant creative hub.

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Message In A Bottle Kiln, created by artists Illuminos, will use animation and sound to bring the past century to life and look forward to the next 100 years. It captures the vision of the city’s future described by young people from Stoke-on-Trent College, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Pinc College.

The projection is part of the Light Up Hanley event, presented by Creative People and Places programme Appetite, which will take place in Albion Square on 3 and 4 February from 5pm to 8pm.

The event, which is part of Appetite’s Light Up Winter series, will also feature a multi-sensory musical sculpture made up of more than 200 illuminated chime bars and a five-metre-high fortune-telling fruit machine, as well as roaming performers.

Artist Rob Vale, of Illuminos, said: “We have worked with young people from Stoke-on-Trent imagining with them what they would place in a bottle kiln to send forwards into the future, and the wonderful transformations that might take place in the process.

“Weaving the young people’s ideas into a vision of the next 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent, the Town Hall will come alive with the power and heat of the kilns, morphing and transforming as spitfires turn to space travel, ceramics merge with silicon, melodies soar and treasures delight.”

The new owner of the Town Hall, Simon Edwards, of ELS Holdings, added: “The Town Hall is an iconic building in the city and it will be great to see it animated in this way. Projects like this show how historic buildings can play an active role in the life of the city today, connecting heritage with creativity and future ambition. We are delighted that the Town Hall is part of this fantastic event.”

The Light Up Winter series will conclude with Newcastle under Light outside the Guildhall on 4 March from 6pm to 9pm. The event will see a projection celebrating local people and places, a forest-inspired installation exploring breath and breathing together, and giant inflatable creatures that respond to hugs and squeezes.

Appetite Interim Director Heather Dowler said: “Our Light Up Winter series is about creating moments of joy, wonder and shared experiences in our communities. Light Up Hanley is a free and welcoming event, and a chance to come together on winter evenings to see familiar places in a completely new light.”

The Light Up Winter events are free to attend with no booking required. Refreshments will be available to purchase. British Sign Language tours will be available at each location and will need pre-booking by contacting askus@appetite.org.uk.

Light Up Winter is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, with additional support from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Denise Coates Foundation and Middleport Matters. The series is delivered in partnership with Middleport Matters, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and Stoke Creates.

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Presented by Appetite, Light Up Winter will take place in Middleport, Hanley and Newcastle-under-Lyme, featuring immersive light installations, projections and sound experiences created by internationally acclaimed artists.

The first event, Light Up Middleport, will be held in Middleport Park on 21 and 22 January from 4pm to 8pm. It will feature illuminated boxes flashing in time with residents’ heartbeats, flying fish made from recycled plastic bottles and a large interactive structure where visitors can create melodies and light patterns using simple hand movements.

Light Up Hanley will take place in Albion Square on 3 and 4 February from 5pm to 8pm, including a multi-sensory musical sculpture made up of more than 200 illuminated chime bars and a five-metre-high fortune-telling fruit machine. It will also feature a large-scale projection onto the Town Hall co-created with young people from Stoke-on-Trent College, YMCA, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, Pinc College and artists Illuminos.

The series will conclude with Newcastle under Light outside the Guildhall on 4 March from 6pm to 9pm. The event will see a projection celebrating local people and places, a forest-inspired installation exploring breath and breathing together, and giant inflatable creatures that respond to hugs and squeezes.

Appetite Interim Director Heather Dowler said: “Light Up Winter is about bringing people together during the darker months with free, joyful experiences for our communities. Each event offers something different, playful and fun to brighten the dark nights of winter.”

The events are free to attend with no booking required. Refreshments will be available to purchase at all events. British Sign Language tours will be available at each location and will need pre-booking by contacting askus@appetite.org.uk.

Light Up Winter is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, with additional support from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Denise Coates Foundation and Middleport Matters. The series is delivered in partnership with Middleport Matters, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID and Stoke Creates.

The installations at each event are as follows:

Light Up Middleport

The Matter of the Heart by idontloveyouanymore

Circo Tree by Dan Fox and Sound Intervention

Flying Fish by Wild Rumpus

Lanterns by B Arts and community members

Light Up Hanley

Projection by Illuminos

Positive Spin by Invisible Wind Factory

Illumaphonium by Michael Davis

Newcastle Under Light

Squeeze Me by Air Giants

Projection by Leo & Hyde

And…Breathe by Pif-Paf

The Matter of the Heart will feature as part of Light Up Middleport, taking place in Middleport Park on 21 and 22 January from 4pm to 8pm.

The artwork, created by award-winning studio idontloveyouanymore, is made up of 30 glowing boxes, each connected to a person’s live heartbeat and accompanied by a short description of their connection to Stoke-on-Trent. Together, they will form a portrait of the city’s beating heart.

Those selected to take part will be invited to a 15-minute session on either 17 or 19 January, between 10am and 4pm, at Middleport Matters’ Harper Street base. Participants will borrow a heart monitor to wear, download an app to transmit their heartbeat and share a few words about what Stoke-on-Trent means to them.

During the event, each light box will pulse in time with the participants’ live heartbeats, bringing the installation to life.

Organised by Appetite, Light Up Middleport launches a new series of free light events – Light Up Winter – which will also include Light Up Hanley (3 and 4 February, 5pm to 8pm) and Newcastle under Light (4 March, 6pm to 9pm).

Assistant producer Emma Hobbs, of Appetite, said: “Each illuminated box flashes in time with a person’s real-life heartbeat. Audience members are invited to walk among the flashing ‘hearts’, each one representing a member of the local community.

“We’d like to invite people - especially Middleport residents - to lend their heartbeats and share their connection to Stoke-on-Trent. The process is very simple – you don’t need a mobile device – and we would love you to come along and find your own heart.”

Anyone wishing to take part can apply at thematteroftheheart.com/takepart/apply, and 30 people will be selected after the application deadline on Thursday, 15 January.

Re-Form Heritage, working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is delivering the new Centenary Restoration Fund to restore small but significant features that help shape the character of each of the six towns thanks to a £240,252 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. These could include statues, war memorials, fountains, murals and street furniture that matter to local communities.

An online public event will take place on Wednesday 17 December from 6pm to 7pm, where residents can find out more about the project and learn how to take part in the city-wide vote. A recording will be available to watch after the event for anyone unable to attend.

During the event, the Re-Form Heritage team will outline the aims of the fund, explain the shortlist of assets and how people can vote, and show how residents can also nominate additional assets they feel deserve attention.

Votes and nominations will help shape the final selection, alongside other factors including the size and historic significance of each asset and the complexity and cost of repair work.

Voting will open on Wednesday, 17 December, and will run until Sunday, 25 January. Residents will be able to vote online or by picking up a paper form from the reception at Middleport Pottery.

Inês Jorge, Centenary Restoration Fund Officer at Re-Form Heritage, said: “This project is all about the little heritage treasures that make our city special. We know how much pride people have in their local landmarks and we really want to hear which ones mean the most to you.

“With the support of National Lottery players and our partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we have the chance to protect the small but meaningful heritage features that hold so many memories for local people.

“We’d be delighted if residents joined the conversation, voted and shared their ideas. Your involvement will help us choose the sites that matter most in this special Centenary year.”

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, added: “Our heritage tells the story of who we are as a city - it reflects both our industrial strength and our creativity. We know there are challenges to tackle but 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status is the perfect time to reflect on its past and invest in its future.

“It’s great that we’re working with our heritage development trust, Re-Form Heritage, on this project. It will not only restore important local landmarks but also give communities the chance to shape how we care for them in the future.”

The limited edition creation reimagines the classic bacon-and-cheese oatcake in a playful yet refined liquid form. Fat-washed Belvedere vodka infused with cheese, smoked salt and a bright red tomato oil capture the familiar savoury notes, while a toasted oatcake garnish offers a subtle nod to the original dish.

Owner Dereece Gardner said: “To mark our second birthday, we wanted to launch something bold, unique and rooted in Stoke-on-Trent. The Staffordshire oatcake is part of our culture and identity. We’re proud of where we’re from and nothing shouts Stoke more than a Saturday morning queue for fresh oatcakes.

“I wanted to create a drink that celebrates that spirit, not as a gimmick, but through genuine craft and technique. We’ve reimagined something deeply embedded in our city’s life and turned it into a modern experience for visitors. It’s a fun serve, but it’s also a love letter to Staffordshire: familiar, comforting and a little bit cheeky, just like home.”

Since opening in Hanley’s Piccadilly in December 2023, Desire has built a strong reputation for elevating drinking culture in Staffordshire. With the oatcake martini, the bar continues to champion creativity, local pride and modern cocktail craft.

Dereece added: “This drink brought a real challenge – how do you express those savoury flavours without compromising the elegance of a martini?

“The idea actually came up during one of our team research-and-development sessions, and the moment it was mentioned, it was an instant: we have to recreate this now. It just felt right.

“We couldn’t use real bacon because it would make the drink heavy, so instead we built the sensation of bacon through smoked salt, fat-washing and carefully selecting the right cheese. Every detail had to be considered.

“The goal was to keep it clean, modern and drinkable. It’s also a nod to our team’s creativity – us pushing ideas, experimenting and seeing how far we can take something that’s part of our local culture.”

The Staffordshire Oatcake Martini, priced at £11.50, will be available at Desire Cocktail Bar from 15 December to 1 January.

Urban Wilderness CIC will host its second Winter Gathering on Saturday, December 13, in Longton’s Queen’s Park from 4pm to 6pm. The free family-friendly event, inspired by Greek mythology, is funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Queen’s Park Partnership.

Visitors can expect illuminated walkways, performances, a community lantern parade and a dramatic fire finale.

Beginning at 5pm, the lantern parade features contributions from Year 8 students at Florence MacWilliams Academy, St John’s Heron Cross Cubs, art foundation students at Stoke-on-Trent College, North Staffordshire Young Carers, and members of Urban Wilderness’s Teen Squad, Art Club and Creative Volunteers.

Giant light-up puppets, created during a two-week masterclass with Thingumajig Theatre and local artists in summer 2025, will bring the myth of the Minotaur to life. The puppets, including a minotaur and an eagle, are inspired by stone carvings on Longton Town Hall.

Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC, said: “In our retelling of this Greek myth, Ariadne befriends the Minotaur, reclaims her destiny and leads the Minotaur out of the labyrinth and into the light. It’s a metaphor for holding true to what is good and right in troubled times.”

The finale at 5:45pm will feature the premiere of The Prometheans, a narrative fire show from North Staffordshire circus performers Circus in a Box, which sees Eve Travis and Ross Ankers blend movement, fire tricks and storytelling as flame-wielding folk heroes in a world of legend and fable.

The event will also include performances from the Penkhull Mystery Singers at 4pm and Domesday Morris at 4.30pm, with music during the parade and finale from KiLNE, a 20-strong Stoke-on-Trent-based nu-marching band led by Danny Shaw.

Jenny Harper, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC, said: “There has been such an incredible buzz around the creation of this event for months in Longton. We’ve had record numbers of volunteers at our sessions and engaged with multiple new partners. The sense of what is possible in Longton has really shifted and it’s a joy to be a part of that.”

Isla Telford added: “The park is a gorgeous asset to the city and is well used by the local community. It’s a treat to be able to transform it at night with lights, fire, music and magic. We hope that families will enjoy making memories together at this free event, which is a great way to end Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary year.”

Refreshments will be available in the park from Aynsley Tea Rooms, Crumbs and Goodwin’s Coffee.

Cllr Lillian Dodd, chair of Queen’s Park Partnership, said: “The Queen’s Park Partnership are pleased and excited to welcome this event in our park. It promises to be a really exciting event for all the family and we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the fun.”

For more information, visit www.urbanwildernesscic.com/winter-gathering.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which recently closed its formal consultation on its draft Local Plan, this week urged people to continue putting forward potential brownfield land that could help meet long-term housing and development needs in the city.

A Local Plan sets out how an area will grow over the next 15 to 20 years, including where homes, businesses and infrastructure should be located and how green spaces and heritage sites are protected. Councils gather input through public roadshows, planning forums and neighbourhood or master plans, giving communities a say in shaping their area.

With several councils now at key stages in the Local Plan process, Hanley-based Inc Architects is helping new and existing clients understand whether their land could be suitable and when to put it forward.

Inc offers advisory services ranging from initial site reviews through to preparing and submitting formal proposals, helping clients decide whether their site’s intended use – such as housing or industrial – is the most suitable.

Directors Kim Mountford and David Byatt also keep clients informed by attending planning forums and council roadshows, acting as a bridge to planning officers.

David said: “Planning can feel complicated, and timing is crucial. If you have a site that could be viable, putting it forward at the right time can make all the difference. We help clients understand the bigger picture, weigh the pros and cons and make decisions that are in their best interests by being proactive, not reactive.”

Newcastle Borough Council’s final draft now being reviewed by Government ahead of expected adoption in early 2026, while Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is currently calling for sites. Stafford Borough Council is at the early stage of its plan, with a call for sites due soon.

Kim added: “It’s not always easy to find information about the Local Plan process. Local authorities do not automatically allocate land for development – sites need to be nominated by the owner or the public, with the landowner’s permission. You have to be ‘in it to win it’. We’re well-positioned to help clients make informed decisions and find solutions to any challenges that arise.”

Dr Rebecca Reubens, who founded India’s first multidisciplinary sustainability design studio, Rhizome, in 2009, will speak at Keele In Town in Newcastle on Tuesday, 25 November.

Organised by Stoke-on-Trent-based Brilliant Bamboo, the event will run from 6pm to 7:30pm including networking, and is aimed at design, sustainability, craft, art and environmental policy professionals, as well as students and anyone interested in the development of bamboo in the UK.

Dr Reubens has worked extensively across Asia, Africa and Europe, exploring the intersection of sustainability, craft and design. Her studio Rhizome creates sustainable luxury goods in a range of materials, including bamboo, terracotta, wood and brass, through its main label and its jewellery line, Baka.

She began her bamboo journey at the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and continues to consult for the international development sector while remaining engaged with academia through teaching and writing. She is the author of several publications, including Bamboo: From Green Design to Sustainable Design.

Gemma Thomas, director of Brilliant Bamboo, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr Reubens to North Staffordshire. Her work shows how bamboo can be a powerful force for sustainable design and creative innovation, and this is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in craft, design or environmental solutions.”

Tickets are priced at £12.50 and £10 for concessions, including booking fees. The event is supported by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Keele University and Imagine Bamboo.

Longton-based Urban Wilderness CIC – whose events include the hugely popular Pig Walk, which this year brought 30,000 visitors to the town, and Winter Gathering – has taken a five-year lease on the vacant Barclays Bank building in The Strand, which has stood empty for three years.

The not-for-profit group hopes to eventually relocate their activities – including film clubs, creative workshops, talks, photography classes, the town forum, community lounges and mental health groups – from their current base in the Longton Exchange shopping precinct to the three-storey former bank.

The landmark building needs significant work in order to be used by the team, more than 90 event and creative volunteers, and the wider community. Planned improvements include heating upgrades, toilet facilities and accessibility improvements such as a through-lift.

After initially opening up the ground floor space, Urban Wilderness CIC hopes to create meeting rooms, artists’ studios, a bar and a small performance area with a capacity of up to 50 people.

The organisation is appealing to tradespeople and businesses who may be able to offer skills, materials, time or sponsorship to help transform the building. They would also like to hear from local residents and community members about what activities they would like to see in the new space.

Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC, said: “This is a lovely building in a great location which is one of the gateways to Longton.

“It has been empty for three years but it’s in a reasonable condition. We need to make it accessible so that we can welcome all members of the community.

“We hope to be able to hold some of our activities in the new building in around six months’ time and we would be grateful to anyone who is able to help us make this happen.”

To get in touch with suggestions or to help with the transformation of the building, email info@urbanwildernesscic.com

The fifth UK Bamboo Summit, which will take place at the Goods Yard in Stoke from 10am to 5pm on Friday, October 10, will bring together researchers, innovators, businesses, policymakers and artists to explore how the fast-growing, sustainable material could play a role in the UK’s green economy.

Organisers say bamboo is already being used in industries as diverse as construction, textiles, interiors and packaging, and that there is growing interest in how British businesses could harness its potential.

Gemma Thomas, director of Stoke-on-Trent-based Brilliant Bamboo, said: “Many people think of bamboo as something exotic, but the reality is it’s one of the most versatile and sustainable materials in the world and it’s growing in the UK.

“The UK is still at the early stages of developing a bamboo industry, but the opportunities are huge. We want businesses in Staffordshire and beyond to be part of this journey.”

The event will feature speakers from the UK and overseas sharing the latest developments, alongside opportunities for networking and partnership building.

Gemma added: “You might not think bamboo has anything to do with you or your business – and that’s exactly why you should come.

“From creating sustainable supply chains to designing new products, bamboo is finding its way into places you’d never expect. Events like this spark collaborations that can lead to entirely new opportunities.”

The UK Bamboo Summit is part of a wider push by the Bamboo in the UK group, an informal network of organisations and individuals working to put the material on the national agenda. Members include Atelier One, Bamboo Bicycle Club, Brilliant Bamboo, David Trujillo, Coventry University, Imagineer Productions, Michael Brisbane, NoFit State Circus, Orit Azaz, Terragrn and UK Bamboo Supplies.

Organisers say the event, which is part-funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding, will also provide compelling evidence to strengthen the case for bamboo in government policy discussions.

Gemma said: “This event is about shaping the future of a new industry in the UK and a call to action. We want to show that bamboo isn’t just an environmental idea, but a real business opportunity that can bring innovation and growth to Staffordshire and beyond.”

Brilliant Bamboo is currently establishing a ‘bamboo parklet’ on brownfield land off Boothen Road in Stoke, which will be used to explore sustainability, creativity and the impact on the environment, including whether bamboo can improve air quality in an area which traditionally has had high levels of pollution.

Other plans for the site include art, science, nature and physical activities for all ages, as well as developing environmentally positive projects that improve the land, remove carbon and support native biodiversity.

Tickets for the UK Bamboo Summit, which cost £15 or £10 for concessions, are available from https://www.tickettailor.com/events/brilliantbamboocic/1719173

Forget-Me-Knot FC brings together men who have lost a child to share their stories, swap advice and find comfort in the company of other men who understand. Sessions begin with an hour of conversation where men can talk freely without judgment before a relaxed game of football.

The group is aimed at men in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire area who have lost a baby or child, or experienced pregnancy loss. The group is focused on dads but acknowledges that grief can impact the whole family, and is also open to grandads, brothers and uncles.

James Routledge (pictured above, in the middle of the front row), whose baby Teddy died last year, said: “It’s so powerful to be able to say the unsayable in a room where everyone ‘gets it’, as well as sharing practical advice and experiences.

“Spaces like this are so rare and needed for men. This community has become a life saver for me and other men.”

The team is affiliated with Royal Stoke University Hospital and University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), and is in partnership with the Port Vale Foundation. The group meets every other Monday evening at 6:30pm at Port Vale FC in Burslem.

Forget-Me-Knot FC hopes to grow into a wider community for bereaved dads across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. They hope eventually to play against other teams set up for the same purpose, such as Honeysuckle FC in Liverpool, Angels United FC in Manchester and Sands United, which has clubs around the country.

To join the group or for more information, email Brett Pointon at Port Vale Foundation on brett.pointon@port-vale.co.uk or the Bereavement Midwifery team at Royal Stoke on nos-tr.bereavementmidwife@nhs.net